Roseburg School Board denies revised charter renewal request for Phoenix Charter School

The Douglas County School District 4 held a meeting on June 25, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including personnel changes and the renewal of a charter school contract. The meeting began with the introduction of new staff, specifically the employment offer extended to Britney Perchett as a third-grade teacher at Green Elementary School.

Directors Leone and Hamerson participated via Zoom, along with legal counsel Janae Hilgert and Dr. Susan Miles, the OSBA director of board development. The board reviewed the consent agenda, which included minutes from the previous meeting, staff resignations, retirements, and recommendations for employment. Notably, the board expressed gratitude for community donations, including $2,500 from Jiffy Joe LLC and Champion Car Wash, and $5,000 from Michael and Pamela Bobber for the RHS track and field program.

Following the approval of the consent agenda, the board moved on to discuss the revised request for the renewal of the Phoenix Charter School's contract. The charter school, currently in the fifth year of its five-year renewal, had missed its initial renewal deadline. The board had previously allowed an extension for the renewal request, which was followed by a public hearing on April 9, 2025. After reviewing a comprehensive 72-page report, the board unanimously denied the initial renewal request on May 14, 2025.

On June 11, the Phoenix Charter School submitted a revised renewal request, which was evaluated by the board. Superintendent Corden provided a detailed response to this request, addressing concerns raised in the previous report. After a brief discussion, the board voted to deny the revised renewal request, citing that the charter did not meet the necessary criteria as outlined in Oregon law. The decision was made with a motion to direct the superintendent to notify the charter school of the board's decision.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the board's commitment to community engagement and adherence to legal standards in educational governance. The next steps involve formal communication with the Phoenix Charter School regarding the board's decision on their renewal request.